633. Casey Michel - Trump Backs a Loser - Siding in UN with Putin, Illegality, Kleptocracy and Oligarchy.
Feb 25, 2025
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Casey Michel, head of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation, dives deep into the murky waters of illicit finance and authoritarian regimes. He discusses how U.S. policy changes under the Trump administration have empowered kleptocrats and impacted global democracy. Michel also highlights the chaotic modern news landscape and its effects on public perception. Additionally, he explores the troubling intersections of cryptocurrency, political power, and oligarchs, particularly in Ukraine's ongoing struggle for democracy.
The overwhelming flow of information aimed at distracting the public is a tactic rooted in the Trump administration's strategy to control the narrative.
Recent decreases in U.S. anti-corruption efforts jeopardize democratic integrity and empower corrupt foreign officials and oligarchic interests.
Deep dives
The Strategy of Distraction in Politics
The discussion highlights the ongoing challenge of discerning meaningful news from a barrage of information designed to distract. The strategy of overwhelming the public with a continuous stream of news serves to obscure significant developments in governance and policy. This tactic, as noted, has roots in the Trump administration, where the intent appears to keep citizens fatigued and disengaged from critical issues such as corruption and foreign policy. Notably, the involvement of political advisors like Steve Bannon emphasizes a deliberate approach to control the narrative and maintain power through distraction.
Erosion of Anti-Corruption Measures
The conversation underscores a significant deterioration in the United States' anti-corruption efforts since the current administration took office. A pivotal moment occurred when the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was halted, marking a drastic shift away from the U.S.'s historical role as a leader in combating transnational corruption. This move sends a troubling message to corrupt foreign officials and oligarchs, empowering those involved in illicit financial networks. The impact of such a decision suggests not only local implications but also a reconsideration of global alliances and the integrity of democratic institutions.
Oligarchic Interests and Foreign Policy
There is a growing concern regarding the intertwining of oligarchic interests with U.S. foreign policy, particularly as the administration attempts to leverage aid to countries like Ukraine. The narrative indicates a troubling shift toward prioritizing transactions that benefit oligarchs over sound geopolitical strategy. Furthermore, the mention of extorting aid underscores a departure from principles of international support and solidarity, especially as Ukraine continues to face aggression. This approach risks undermining the integrity of American foreign relations while fueling further instability in regions that require support.
Threats to Democratic Institutions
The discussion warns of potential threats to democratic institutions through legislation that could undermine civil society and non-profit organizations. Proposed bills aimed at easing the removal of non-profit statuses suggest a strategy to diminish oversight and accountability within these organizations, which play critical roles in promoting transparency. Additionally, the use of government investigatory bodies as tools for harassment and intimidation further signals a dangerous trajectory towards autocratic governance. These trends highlight the need for vigilance in protecting democratic values and instituting checks against the consolidation of power.
Casey Michel is head of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation, focusing on how dictators and autocrats use illicit finance and dirty money to remain in power. He’s the author of AMERICAN KLEPTOCRACY, on America's transformation into an offshore haven. His new book, FOREIGN AGENTS, will examine the explosion of the foreign lobbying industry in Washington, and how that industry has helped entrench dictatorships and upend American foreign policy. FOREIGN AGENTS will be published in 2024.----------LINKS: https://x.com/cjcmichelhttp://www.caseymichel.com/https://read.macmillan.com/lp/american-kleptocracy/https://us.macmillan.com/author/caseymichel https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseymichel/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube’s algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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